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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-06-08 PRC MINUTES• I. CALL TO ORDER City of Englewood PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes of June 8, 2006 The regular monthly meeting of the Englewood Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order at 5:30pm by Chairperson Gomes at Romans Park, 1700 E. Floyd Avenue. Present: Austin Gomes, Chairperson Mitch Waldman, Vice Chairperson Carolyn Armstrong, Commission Member Douglas Garrett, Commission Member Jim Woodward, Commission Member Karen Miller, Englewood School District Liaison Janet Moore, Cultural Arts Commission Liaison Rebecca Laughlin, Youth Commission Member Jerrell Black, ex officio Absent: Bob Mccaslin, City Council Liaison Krista Niederjohn, Youth Commission Member Also present: Dave Lee, Open Space Manager Gary Hultberg, Recreation Manager Jana McKenzie, EDA W (arrived at 5:40pm) Chad Schneckenberger, EDAW (arrived at 5:40pm) • II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES • Chairperson Gomes asked if there were any changes or corrections to the minutes of May 11, 2006. There were none. The minutes were approved as presented. III. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT There were no visitors present for scheduled comment IV. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT v. There were no visitors present for unscheduled public comment. DOG PARK NAMING UPDATE Due to EDA W Consulttants, Jana McKenzie and Chad Schneckenberger, having not arrived, Chairperson Gomes changed the order of the agenda and began discussion on dog park naming update . Open Space Manager Dave Lee, advised commission members that per the Board's recommendation, Englewood Unleashed held a naming contest for the formal dog park at the Belleview nature area and has forwarded to the Board six names they have selected. Lee reviewed and discussed the names that had been selected by Englewood Unleashed: Engle~WOOF Park, Englewood Bark Park, Gero Dog Park (named after the first police dog to be shot in the line of duty in Colorado in twenty years), Park N' Bark, 4 Paws Park and Canine Corral. Although commission members appreciated the time and effort put into the contest by Englewood Unleashed, commission members expressed their dissatisfaction with the names. Following discussion, A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Waldman and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Miller to recommend to City Council "Canine Corral" for the name of the formal dog park in the Belleview nature area. All were in favor. The motion passed • unanimously. VI. PARKS MASTER PLAN With the arrival of EDA W Consultants, Jana McKenzie and Chad Schneckenberger, Gomes turned discussion over to Dave Lee and the Parks Master Plan. As discussed at last month's meeting, Lee told the Commission that the Parks Master Plan draft is complete which they had received a copy of last month to review for tonight's discussion with EDA Win regard to recommendations of the Plan. Lee turned discussion over to McKenzie and Schneckenberger. McKenzie explained that recommendations of the Park ~aster Plan include three components: Park projects, Major Park Redesign and Facility Additions or Enhancements. In regard to park projects, McKenzie told the Commission that in the near term, Englewood should look for ways to strategically provide additional parks in areas of the city are currently underserved or will be underserved with new developments. Those being: • Bates Station RTD Light Rail • Little Dry Creek Plaza Vicinity • Oxford Parcel • Sherman St. and Nassau Ave. Vicinity • Sherman St. and Princeton Ave. Vicinity • Sherman St. and Stanford Ave. Vicinity McKenzie told the Commission that the Park Master Plan identifies five parklands that are • proposed for a major redesign which would help them to function more efficiently and better serve residents. • Belleview Park: McKenzie reported that while no large scale additions or modifications are needed for Belleview Park, several smaller enhancements could be made to greatly improve the functionality of Belleview Park. McKenzie explained that the east end of Belleview Park needs an upgrade in regard to the shelter, playground and restrooms while the west end needs a re-organization that would include improved access, parking and a port-a-potty with a permanent enclosure. Schneckenberger told the Commission that according to the survey, residents enjoy and want the nature area. Discussion followed regarding needed improvements to the pathways and stairways in the west end of the park including access from the Chenango parking lot to nhe dog park. • Miller Field: Due to there being no other neighborhood park to serve the surrounding residential area, McKenzie explained their recommendation to demolish the existing Safety Services building, allowing the redesign of the existing ball fields to give room for a neighborhood park/playground. Discussion followed regarding the demand for parking at Miller Field. McKenzie explained that parking cou ~d be gained on-street by going to a parallel parking system in addition to near-by parking structures that are under-utilized. • Cushing Park: McKenzie reviewed recommended improvements to Cushing Park including: updated facilities, adequate signage to identify the park and its entrances, restoration of the amphitheater to a garden, landscaping around the lake, and a more • attractive entrance to the park. McKenzie discussed the skate park being at the entrance to the park and suggested it being replaced with a permanent, poured concrete skate park. • • • Discussion followed regarding the small parcel of land south of the entrance and using it to enhance the entrance to Cushing Park . • Centennial Park: McKenzie told the Commission that Centennial was noted in the survey as needing to be "fixed-up". McKenzie spoke in regard to the pathway that leads around the lake and the need to improve the lake's edge with places to sit. McKenzie reported that the back area of Centennial Park is difficult for people to get to and suggested that it be restored to a natural habitat. Schneckenberger noted that methane litigation may be necessary . Other recommendations for Centennial include: upgraded and reconfigured facilities, bench and shade structures for fishing piers and improved signage. Commission Member Woodward stated that there have been concerns from the neighbors in regard to children running out into the street from the park. McKenzie suggested fencing or a safety crossing, explaining that it could be discussed further in a community involvement meeting. • Hosanna Athletic Complex: McKenzie described the Hosanna Athletic Complex a hidden resource but noted that access to the fields is very limited due to fencing surrounding the entire area. McKenzie commented that it almost feels "institutional". Discussion followed regarding recommended improvements to the Hosanna Field area including the creation of park entries and walks, the removal of any unnecessary fencing, and the addition of traditional neighborhood park amenities (playground, shelter and restroom). McKenzie spoke in regard to opportunities with nearby land acquisition. Discussion turned to prioritization of projects. Schneckenberger discussed keeping the plan flexible in case priorities would change. Black explained that there is limited funding for the projects; noting that funding would be available for only about half of the projects. Lee stated that he would also like to set some money aside in a land bank that would be available as land comes available; in addition to a fund for on-going maintenance repairs. McKenzie suggested each year having a "focal point" to promote and highlight a project; explaining how the impact to the public will be greater if one park is worked on at a time rather than smaller projects at various locations. McKenzie told the Commission that they will need to decide what has the greatest need. McKenzie thanked the Commission and recognized staff for their leadership, stating that it has been one of the most pleasurable experiences they have had. Lee thanked McKenzie and Schneckenberger for their efforts. A motion was made by Vice Chairperson Waldman and seconded by Englewood School Board Liaison Miller to take the draft of the Parks and Recreation Parks Master Plan to City Council for consideration, and any future funding that may be available. The motion passed unanimously. VII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Black informed the Commission that the formal agreement between the City of Englewood and Englewood Unleashed was approved by City Council at Monday night's meeting. Discussion followed. Commission members were updated on the Sheridan Redevelopment project. Black told them that they are moving forward with the environmental agreement and much closer to finalizing the plan. Black noted that it will be taken to City Council within the next two to four weeks and then for a: public meeting in the next couple of months. Waldman asked in regard to clean-up of the landfill. Commission Member Garrett explained that the environmental issue is very complex and the biggest issue is insurance or making sure the City is protected. Garrett noted that approximately one million cubic yards of landfill will be moved out. VIII. COMMISSION MEMBER'S CHOICE Miller announced the first Strategic Action Plan meeting will be next week at City Center. Recreation Manager Hultberg stated that the Sounds of Summer Concert Series will kick-off on Thursday, June 22nd at 7pm. Hultberg reported that Pirates Cove is breaking attendance records due to the extremely warm weather. Commission Member Armstrong asked what the Parks and Recreation summer play will be. Hultberg stated that it will be Oklahoma. Lee infmmed the Commission that staff is continuing to irrigate the dog park using a fire hydrant and hose. Lee reported that construction for the water quality pond will begin next week and should be completed in two to three weeks. XV. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:39pm. I tl~{L~ Deborah A Severa, Recording Secretary l l \ • • •